Brace-bar btjiter



' Sept; 11,1923.

G. A. LYON BRAcE BAR BUFFER Filed Jan. 20. 1922 TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BRACE-BAR BUFFER.

Application filed January 20, 1922. Serial No. 530,547.

This invention relates especially to automobile buffers with which may be combined brace bars, supporting members, or auxiliary buffer portions which may be secured or connected to the automobile or other vehicle frame members to reenforce and strengthen them. For this purpose special frame ends which may be rive-ted or otherwise connected to the forward ends or portions of the usual channel section frame members of the vehicle may advantageously be provided With laterally extending supporting bosses on one or both sides of each frame member and an enclosing supporting clamp may cooperate with each boss which, if desired, may be recessed to receive and align the brace bar portion. Thesupporting boss may, if desired, have retainer lugs or portions and aligning faces to engage and align the supporting clamp which may enclose the boss and cooperating brace bar or other supporting portions of the buffer so that the brace bar portions may thus be securely clamped or connected to each of the frame members so as to have a desirable reenforcing action thereon and at the sametime support the buffer front of any suitable construction which may be in the same plane orbent upwards in some cases so as to be arranged in a higher plane than the connected rear supporting portions. The brace bar or supporting portions may, if desired, have integrally or otherwise connected end loops and adjacent inturned connector portions to which may be detachably or otherwise connected the buffer front portions preferably formed of spring strip or other resilient elements, so that these impact receiving members may have the desired resilient action under collision conditions. It is sometimes desirable to form the brace bar or supporting portion. of the buffer ofone or'more pieces of resilient spring steel strip which may have looped end portions extending out into protective position in front of the vehicle wheels so as to form the end loops for the buffer while the cooperating spring strip reenforcing members and end and center clamping devices which may be used to connect and stiffen the strips give additional strength and reliability to this construction.

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way various illustrative embodiments of this invention.

Fig. l is a plan view partly in section showing one form of construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view taken approximately along the line 22 of Figs. 3,4: and 5 are plan views showing other illustrative forms of buffer, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse section showing the attachment of the Fig. 5 buffer.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in'Fig. 1, the brace bar or supporting portion of the buffer may comprise one or more connected strips of spring steel or other suitable and preferably resili ent material having end loop portions. As

illustrated the brace bar portion or strip 7 may extend beyond the special frame ends or supporting bosses 15 and be provided with stiffening connector portions 8, 9 and 1O, 11 which may extend behind and around the one or more spring strips having cooperating connector portions 5 6 which may havethe integral end loops 3 and curved resilient portions 4 as well as the front connector portions 2, if desired. In this case the buffer front or impact receiving portions may comprise the spring strips 1 cooperating with a the front connector portions and if desired having more or less aligning action there on, these parts being connected by the enclosing clamping devices or clips 12, which may be tightened around the parts by the bolts or nuts 13. v v 1 The supporting or brace bar portions of the bufler may as indicated in Fig. 2 be clamped or connected to supporting bosses 15 which may extend on one or both sides of the special frame ends rigidly connected to the usual channeled frame members or goose necks 22. Any convenient means for connecting these parts may be used and as indicated'the supporting boss which may project on both sides of the frame member may be formed with an integral supporting or securing portion 23 extending within the channeled "frame member and welded, riveted or otherwise connected thereto in a rigid way. This supporting boss may of course accommodate the end of the usual spring 23 which may be secured by a spring hanger bolt ll passing through theboss if desired. This supporting boss may be formed with a recess 18 of such size as to accommodate the one or more springstrips constituting this supporting brace bar portion of the butter and a straight orrectangular sectioned recess of this character may support the flat sectioned strips as indicated in Fig. 2 in connection with a supporting clamp, such as 16, which may be arranged around these parts and strongly clamped "upon the same as by a tightening bolt 19 passing through the ends 24 of this clamp. It is usually advantageous to form the one or more bosses provided on each frame memher with a retainer lug or portion such as 21 projecting outward to at least a slight extent beyond the cooperating face 20 of the boss Which may be substantially flat or vertical, if desired; The supporting clamp of wrought o'r malleable material may be sufiieiently expanded to be slipped over this retainer portion and then tightened lnside the same which definitely holds the parts in this securing position and positively prevents the clamps slipping sidewise from the supporting boss. As indicated in Fig. 1 two such supporting clamps 16, 17 may be used on each supporting boss or frame end 15 and in this way an amply strong and rigid connection may be secured. between the supporting or brace bar portion of: the buffer and the frame ends so as to considerably strengthen and reenforce them against lateral yielding and breakage.

F 3 shows another form of construction in which the supporting or brace 'bar portion 65 may be a single strip of spring steel or other resilient material having the outwardly extending connector portions 62 and the curved portions 63, 64 which g1ve greater resilient yield. to the parts. The buffer front may in this instance comprise one or more strips haying end loops 58, 59 and inturned. connector portions or ends 60, 61 to he clamped or connected to the cooperating connector portion 62 as by the enclosing clips 70, 71. hen as illustrated the impact receiving or front portion of the bufl er combuffer;

this purpose separate attaching members,

such as 67, which may be clamped or connected to the automobile frame members, may be formed with bent connector portions 66, so that they can be connected as by the clamping devices or clips 72, 73 to this supporting or transverse portion 65 of the It is thus unnecessary to directly connect this or the other types of buffer to special supporting bosses such as illustrated in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 4 the entire device may in some cases be formed of a single strip of resilient material which may havea brace bar portionBO formed, if desired, with a forwardly pro ecting or convex section portion 31 which may die'out at about the point 32 on'eacliside so as to give the desired degree nected end loops 34, 38. The integral connected' impact receiving portions 35, 39 may be of such length that their ends 36, 40 overlap to a considerable extent to give a reenforced bufl'er front when these ends are connected in any suitable way as by enclosing clips or clamps 24. Fig. 5 shows still another arrangement in which the brace bar portion 41 of spring strip material may, if desired, besimilarly stiffened by being cupped or bent in crosssection throughout at least the brace bar portion which may be connccted to the frame or other members of the automobile, and if desired this bent portion may die out at about the points 42 so 'as to render-more resilient the curved yielding portions. 13, 47 and the end loops 4:4, 48. The connected front or impact receiving portions 4-5. 49 which are thus spaced amply away from the brace bar portion 41 may be connected together in any suitable way preferably in connection with one or more re enforcing front members of any suitable character, such as the resilient front strip 51 so as to form a reenforced or multiple thickness strengthened buffer front which gives increased resistance and efficiency in absorbing collision impacts. If desirechsuitable clamping devices, such as 12, may connect these front portions and may enclose the trout strips adjacent the ends of the reenforcing strip. It is also desirable in some cases to have an additional center clamp such as at which, may, enclose the ends 36, 50 of the front strips when they are substantially in line and hold them securely and rigidly against the cooperating portion of the re enforcing front strip.

These types of combined brace bar and buffer may also in many cases be advantageously used as rear buffers by directly connecting the brace bar portions to the rear springs of an automobile. As indicated in Figs. 5 and 6 the cupped or curved section brace bar portion 41 may fit against the elliptical or other rear springs 55 of the automobile so as to engage the same at the contact edges 56. The parts may be securely clamped in this position by devices comprising the clamping plates 52 and cooperating clamping U-bolts 53 Which may have the yoke portion extending around the spring While the shanks of these U-bolts are preferably forced against the contact edges of the bracebar portion of the buffer. For this pur- 4 pose the clamping plate may be formed with angularly arranged aligning ends 37 so that When the nuts 54 are tightened on these U- bolts or other connectors the aligning ends throw the shanks of these bolts toward each other so as to forcibly engage the contact edges 38 of the brace bar portion although considerable back lash or angular space may be provided in each of the bolt holes. It is of course understood that with such a type of clamping device the buffer may be loosely connected to the rear springs and then slipped up or down along the same so as to bring it into the desired angular position before finally tightening or clamping the "bolts to prevent further movement.

This invention has been described in con nection with a number of embodiments, forms, proportions, parts, arrangements, materials, methods of connection and use, to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to be limited since what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. The automobile buffer formed of resilient spring strip and having a rear trans verse member, spring strip attaching members adapted to be connected to the automo bile and having bent connector portions to be adjustably clamped to the cooperating connector portions of said rear transverse member, and having a buifer front member spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear memher having integral looped ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having inturned connector portions, front reenforcing strips haviiig their ends clamped to said inturned connector portions and a central clamping device enclosing the front member adjacent its central portion to stiffen and strengthen the same.

2. The automobile buffer formed of resilient spring strip and having a rear transverse member. attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and having connector portions to be adjustably clamped to the cooperating connector portions of said rear transverse member, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear member having integral looped ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile Wheels and having inturned portions, front reenforcing strips having their ends clamped to said inturned portions and a central clamping device enclosing the front member adjacent its central portion to stiffen and strengthen the same.

3. The automobile buffer formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member, attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and having connector portions to be adjustably secured to the connector portions of said rear trans verse member, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said. rear member having integral looped end portions extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile Wheels and havin inturned connector portions and a front reenforcing member secured to the other buffer elements by enclosing clamping devices including a substantially central clamping device.

4:. The automobile buffer formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member, attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and having connector portions to be secured to the connector portions of said rear transverse memher, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear member having looped. end portions extending out. into protective position adjacent the automobile Wheels and a front recnfoi ing member secured to the other buffer elements by enclosing clamping devices.

5. The automobile buffer formed of resilient spring strip and having a rear transverse member, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the lateral portions of said rear member, said rear member having integral looped ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile Wlieolsand having inturned portions, front rcenforc ng strips having their ends clamped to said inturned portions and a central clamping device enclosing the frontinember adjacent its central portion to stiffen and strengthen the same.

6. The automobile bufl er formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member, and having a buffer front member spaced considerabiv ahead of the lateral' portions of said rear member, said rear member having looped end portions extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile Wheels and a front reenforcing member secured to the other buffer ele ments byenclosing clamping devices.

7. The automobile buffer formed of'resilient strip and having a rear transverse member adapted to be connected to the a 11tosilient strip and having a rear transverse member adapted to be connected to the automobile, and having a buffer front member and having ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having a front reenforcing member clamped to the other bufler elements by clamping means including a, substantially central clamping device.

9. The automobile buffer formed of re silient steel strip and having a rear transverse member, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the portions of said rear members substantially in line with the automobile frame members, said rear member having integral looped ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and provided with inturned connector portions extending inward adjacent each other at the central portion of the buffer front and a front reenforcing member clamped to said inturned ends.

10. The automobile bufler formed of resilient steel strip and having a rear transverse membcr, and having a buffer front member spaced. considerably ahead of the portions of said rear member substantially in line with the automobile frame members, said. rear member having ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile whccls and provided with inturned connector portions extending inward ad jaccnt each other at the central portion of the buffer front and a front reeniforcingmember clamped to the other bufi'er element.

11. The autontiobile buflfer formed. of resilient spring strip and having a reartrans verse brace bar portion adapted to be connected to the automobile and having end loops adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having front reenforcing members detachably connected to the other buffer members by enclosing clamping devices comprising lateral clamping devices and an intermediate central clamping device securing and stifi'cningthe buffer front member.

12. The automobile bufier formed of resilient spring strip and having a rear trans verse portion adapted to be connected to the automobile and having end loops adapted to extend adjacent the automobile wheels and having front reenforcin'g members c0nnected to the other bufier members by clamping devices comprising lateral clamping devices and an intermediate central clamping device securing and stifiening the butter front member.

13. The automobile buffer formed of resilient steel strip and having looped ends extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having a rear transverse member and a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the portions of said rear member substantially in.

said rear member being provided with in-- turned connector portions extending inward toward each other at the central-portion of the buffer front and the buffer front member clamped to said inturned ends.

15. Theautomobile buffer formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member, attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and having con nector portions to be adjustably secured to the connector portions of said rear transverse member, and having a buffer front member provided with corresponding portions spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear member having integral looped end portions extending out into protective posi tion adjacent the automobile wheels and having integral inturncd connector portions and a front reenforcing member secured to the other butler element byclainping devices including a substantially central clamping device.

16. The automobile builcr formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member having connector portions adapted to be secured to the automobile, and having a buffer front member having its corresponding portions spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear member having looped end portions extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and a front reenforcing member secured to another of the buffer elements by clamping devices.

17. The automobile buffer front formed of resilient strip and having ends adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and comprising a rear transverse member provided with connector portions, and comprising a buffer front member provided with corresponding portions spaced considerably ahead of the con nector portions of said rear member and a front reenforcing member connected to another of the elements of the bufier by clamping devices including a substantially central clamping device, and buffer attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and adjustably secured to the connector portions of said rear transverse member.

18. The automobile buffer front formed of resilient strip and having end loops adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and comprising a rear transverse member provided with connector portions adapted to be adjustably connected to the automobile and comprising a buffer front member provided with corresponding portions spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member and clamping devices including a substantially central clamping device cooperating with said buffer front member, and buffer attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile ancl adjustably'secured to the con- {)leOtOI' portions of said rear transverse mem- 19. The automobile buffer front formed of steel strip and having end loops adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and comprising a rear transverse member provided with connector portions adapted to be adjustably connected to the automobile and comprising a buffer front member provided with corresponding portions spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member and clamping devices including a substantially central clamping device coopcrating with said buffer front member.

20. The automobile buffer front having end loops adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels,

and comprising a unitary spring strip rear member having looped end portions and inturned connector portions and having a transverse supporting portion provided with connector portions adapted to be adjustably connected to the automobile, and comprising a resilient buffer front member spaced at least twice as far ahead of the connector portions of said rear member as the diameter of said end loops and clamping devices securing said buffer front member to said inturned connector portions.

21. The automobile buffer front having end loops adapted to extend out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels, and comprising a unitary steel strip rear member having looped end portions and inturned connector portions and having a transverse supporting portion adapted to be connected to the automobile, and comprising a resilient buffer front member spaced several times as far ahead of the central portions of said rear member as the diameter of said end loops and clamping devices securing said buffer front member to said inturned connector portions.

22. The resilient automobile buffer front comprising a unitary spring strip rear member having looped end portions and inturned connector portions and having a substantially straight. rear transverse support ing portion adapt-ed to be adjustably connected to the automobile, and comprising a resilient buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of said rear member and clamping devices securing said buffer front member to said inturned connector portions.

23. The resilient automobile buffer front comprising a unitary spring strip rear member having looped end portions and inturned connector portions and having a rear transverse supporting portion adapted to be connected to the automobile, and comprising a resilient buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of said rear member and means securing said buffer front member to said inturned connector portions.

24. The automobile buffer front comprising a unitary rear member having looped end portions and inturned connector portions and having a rear transverse supporting portion adapted to be connected to the automobile, and comprising a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of said rear member and means securing said buffer front member to said inturned connector portions.

25. The automobile buffer formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member, and having attaching members adapted to be connected to the automobile and provided with connector portions to be secured to the connector portions of said rear transverse member, and having a. buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of the connector portions of said rear member, said rear member comprising a unitary spring steel strip having looped end portions extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having integral inturned connector portions secured to said front member.

26. The automobile buffer formed of resilient strip and having a rear transverse member adapted to be connected to the automobile, and having a buffer front member spaced considerably ahead of said rear memher, said rear member comprising a unitary steel strip having end portions extending out into protective position adjacent the automobile wheels and having inturned connector portions secured to said front member.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

